AD 2013-11-13

This AD becomes effective July 15, 2013.

For service information identified in this AD, contact Defence Aerospace Communications at Rolls-Royce plc, P.O. Box 3, Gypsy Patch Lane, Filton, Bristol, BS347QE, United Kingdom; phone: 011-44-117-9791234; or email: http://www.rolls-royce.com/contact/defence_team.jsp. You may view this service information at the FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 781-238-7125.

Robert Green, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7754; fax: 781-238-7199; email: Robert.Green@faa.gov.

We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products. That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on February 22, 2013 (78 FR 12255). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The mandatory continuing airworthiness information states:

A review, carried out by Rolls-Royce, of the lives of critical parts of the Viper Mk. 601-22 engine, has resulted in reduced cyclic life limits for certain critical parts.

Operation of critical parts beyond these reduced cyclic life limits may result in part failure, possibly resulting in the release of high-energy debris, which may cause damage to the aeroplane and/or injury to the occupants.

For the reasons described above, this AD requires implementation of the reduced cyclic life limits for the affected critical parts, i.e., replacement of each part before the applicable reduced life limit is exceeded, and replacement of those critical parts that have already exceeded the reduced cyclic life limits.

We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of life-limited parts, damage to the engine, and damage to the airplane.

We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing this AD. We considered the comments received.

Roll-Royce plc requested that we identify the TC holder as Rolls-Royce plc rather than Rolls-Royce (1971) Limited, Bristol Engine Division.

We agree. We changed the AD to identify the TC holder as Rolls-Royce plc.

Rolls-Royce plc requested that we change the contact information used to request service information for Viper Mk. 601-22 turbojet engines.

We agree. We changed the contact information for requesting service information related to this AD to: Defence Aerospace Communications at Rolls-Royce plc, P.O. Box 3, Gypsy Patch Lane, Filton, Bristol, BS347QE, United Kingdom; phone: 011-44-117-9791234; or email: http://www.rolls-royce.com/contact/defence_team.jsp.

We reviewed the available data, including the comments received, and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD with the changes described previously. We determined that these changes will not increase the economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of the AD.

We estimate that this AD will affect about 32 engines installed on airplanes of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it will take 0 hours per product to comply with this AD. The average labor rate is $85 per hour. We are not requiring parts replacement, so parts cost is $0. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the AD on U.S. operators to be $0.

Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the authority of the FAA Administrator. “Subtitle VII: Aviation Programs,” describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.

We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in “Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General requirements.” Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this rulemaking action.

We determined that this AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD will not have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship between the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government.

For the reasons discussed above, I certify this AD:

(1) Is not a “significant regulatory action” under Executive Order 12866;

(2) Is not a “significant rule” under the DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and

(3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska to the extent that it justifies making a regulatory distinction, and

(4) Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to comply with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.

Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new AD: